Scotland hit with 13-hour snow warning as Storm Darragh looms with 'danger to life' winds

Lucy Farrell
·2-min read
Cars make their way through snow as the met office issued weather alerts for snow as low temperatures continue across the north of the country on January 18, 2024 in Lairg, Scotland.
-Credit: (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)


More snow is in store for Scotland as the country remains covered in a ream of weather warnings ahead of Storm Darragh.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning to take effect on Friday night (December 6), which is to last until tomorrow morning. It comes as weather maps anticipate a 550-mile ice wall impacting the UK from today.

The latest warning will begin at 8pm this evening, ending at 9am on Saturday and covers a wide swathe of central Scotland. About 2 to 5cm of snow is expected to fall above 200 or 300m with 10 to 20cm above 400m, impacting driving routes, resulting in difficult travel conditions and disruption.

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Snow is likely to affect lower grounds on Friday evening, but any accumulations here will be temporary. As the night goes on snow will become more showering, turning to sleet and rain through Saturday morning.

Drivers should take extra time when planning trips as wintry weather can cause delays and worsen road conditions. There is also the chance that drifting snow could add to the impact.

It comes as newly named Storm Darragh begins its migration eastwards, triggering a serious amber weather warning for wind in southwest Scotland. Gales will reach a blustery 80mph on coastal areas, heightening the risk of injuries from high waves and falling debris, while inland will be hit with 60-70mph gusts.

Speaking on Storm Darragh, Met Office Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly reported: “Storm Darragh is an evolving system and will bring several hazards, including wind gusts of up to 70-80mph around western coasts, especially from Devon and Cornwall to southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wind speeds in inland areas will be slightly reduced with maximum gusts expected to reach 60-70mph.”

Scotland snow warning - areas affected

A weather map of Scotland with many yellow warnings for snow and rain
Scotland's latest warning is one of many to hit this weekend -Credit:Met Office

Central, Tayside & Fife

  • Angus

  • Clackmannanshire

  • Falkirk

  • Perth and Kinross

  • Stirling

Grampian

  • Aberdeenshire

  • Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

  • Highland

  • Strathclyde

  • Argyll and Bute

  • East Dunbartonshire

  • North Lanarkshire

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